It was five years ago that I posted an article about the MacBlender. People were outraged that Craig MacTavish would change his lines up frequently, of course 95% of NHL coaches do this, but people needed someone to blame so MacTavish was the guy.

Fast forward five years, and I think it is time for the GM to fire up the MacBlender again.

This time the blender will be set on the Trade setting.

The Oilers need a shake up.

You can try different line combinations, bring guys up from the minors, but it won't mask the issues.

The first order of business has to be bringing in another goalie. I'm not sure MacTavish can wait much longer, hoping that Devan Dubnyk will find some consistency. MacT needs to bring in someone to challenge Dubnyk or even move him to the backup position.

The Oilers outplayed the Lightning last night. The Bolts turned the puck over way more than the Oilers, but Ben Bishop covered up their mistakes. Right now, the Oilers don't have that luxury.

OPTIONS...

Most teams won't just hand you their backup, unless they have a solid #3 waiting in the wings.

Anaheim has lots of depth in goal, but I don't see them making a move right away.

Jonas Hiller, 31 years old, will be a UFA at the end of the season. He has a $4.5 million cap hit, so the Oilers would need to send some money to Anaheim to acquire him. He is their starter so it is unlikely he's the one the Ducks would move.

Viktor Fasth is on injured reserve. He is 31 years old and has one year left at $2.9 million. He's only played 28 games, and after a ridiculous start his numbers have come back to reality.

Frederik Andersen, 24 years old. He's won all four of his NHL starts and has a sparkling 0.952 SV% and a 1.36 GAA.

John Gibson, 20 years old in his first pro season. He's had 9 starts in the AHL with a 0.951 SV% and a 1.61 GAA. The Ducks aren't trading him.

The Ducks would most likely be willing to part with Fasth, but they can't trade him until he is healthy, so I don't see a Ducks/Oilers trade happening right away.

BLUES...

The Blues have Jaro Halak and Brian Elliott, with Jake Allen playing in the minors. The Blues could move Elliott, but they aren't in any rush. The Blues expect to make a long run in the playoffs, and I doubt they would weaken their goaltending depth right now. Unless the Oilers were willing to overpay for Elliott, I don't see a trade brewing.

LEAFS...

Many expect James Reimer to be dealt, but the Leafs are in no rush to move him. They know Edmonton is desperate, so their asking price is very high. They could move Reimer and bring up Drew MacIntrye, 2.11 GAA and 0.912 SV% in AHL, but the Oilers would need to overpay.

It is a fair argument to suggest the Oilers should overpay, because until they get consistent goaltending they aren't going to win. Maybe MacTavish feels the same and would be willing to "lose" a trade, to better his team.

OTHER....

The Oilers could sign Ilya Bryzgalov to a pro-rated one-year deal. He is big on family and his son plays hockey and his daughter is a figure skater. There would be lots of opportunities for his kids to enhance those skills during the Edmonton winter. Bryzgalov wouldn't cost you any players, and he has a much better track record than Jason LaBarbera.

I understand there would be much trepidation in signing him, but the Oilers might have no better option.

Do you see another option, a realistic one, for MacTavish to pursue?

WRAP UP....

We know that MacTavish, Kevin Lowe and many of the Oilers scouts are on the road scouting opposing players and goaltenders, and they have had conversations with opposing general managers.

Is a trade coming? I believe it has to.

The players will never come out and say it, but their confidence in Dubnyk is diminishing. I know he isn't the only issue on the team, but it is easier to hide an inconsistent winger or defenceman. When your goalie is struggling it is easy to see, and even more difficult to overcome.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Based on the above options, I'd see if you could sign Bryz to hold things down until next summer when it's easier to fix the problem, and you aren't giving up any players now. Too bad - I thought Dubey would post numbers at least as good as last year, and at that level the season wouldn't be done like it is now (barring something miraculous).

is it worth signing bryzgalov on the cheap, if possible...pro-rated $1.0MM for a year, throwing him in for a run of games, and if he doesn't get the job done, just put him on waivers? where's the harm now? as long as he's cheap. Dubnyk may or may not get his game together over the next 10 games...the season will be over by then if we don't get some goaltending.

Oilers fans have collectively lost their minds. The amount of support here for Bryzgalov is ridiculous.

If the Flyers want Eberle I would do it but I'd make them pay through their teeth. I'd want Couturier and B. Schenn plus we'd have to make it work cap wise. Which would have to bring more players into the trade.

I would do a deal Eberle for Couturier. That would be a huge improvement for the Oilers and than you could try and trade Gagner in a package for a goalie or a D or worst case scenario move him to the wing.

Well, I have a feeling a couple of Oilers will be staying behind when the team leaves Philly.

I would try Eberle and Gagner for Couturier and Simmonds.

A second line of Perron-Couturier-Simmonds would be killer and be able to take on the toughs.

I unfortunately have to agree with you Gregor. I have been a big fan of letting Dubnyk develop with the team as he shows a ton of potential and there have been a lack of better options. But the potential isn't being realized. The team has a fragile psyche and you can see a visible wilting in the team every time a weak one goes in. This team doesn't have the character to help out a goalie right now, they need help from a Goalie. I think the Oilers need to make some huge moves to get a bonafide Goalie and a top 2 D-man..... Tall order for the MacBlender.

Goaltending has been such a major issue this season. I'll take Bryzgalov over LOLbarbera right now. Have him and Dubnyk fight for the #1 role. I don't even know why Labarbera was brought in. Not that goalie you want to have both goaltenders fight for the #1 role.

If Bryz is the best option then do it. The time is now to make a move. This is why I hated the J.L signing. Dubnyk clearly needed someone to really push him and we all knew this guy wouldn't. Even after it was known that Mac T was looking to acquire Schneider...Dubnyk is still playing like crap.

This organization has given DD plenty of chances...its time to move on.

@DarrenDreger: In the eyes of Oilers managment, Eberle will be an Oiler forever. Forever is a long time, but, he's not a trade target.

Ok if Eberle,Hall,Nuge,Gags, JSchulz,Ference,Gordon,Perron, are all untouchable who exactly are we trading for help? Smid, Petry, Dubnyk, Hemsky Eager, and what would we actually get inreturn if anything?

is it worth signing bryzgalov on the cheap, if possible...pro-rated $1.0MM for a year, throwing him in for a run of games, and if he doesn't get the job done, just put him on waivers? where's the harm now? as long as he's cheap. Dubnyk may or may not get his game together over the next 10 games...the season will be over by then if we don't get some goaltending.

Season is already over.

That is the problem is it worth this year giving up a ton to solve the Goalie problem? I think so .... as long as you get the right guy...........I am not confident in any of the guys Anahiem has and I don't want a nutter like Bryzgalov near the Oilers already fragile psyche, he might get the whole team institutionalized.

I wouldn't overpay for anyone right now. Bryz is really the only option, but not sure if that is even a good option.

The fact is that this team is already out of the playoff race. Wait until the trade deadline when many teams will be looking to bolster their rosters for the playoff race/long playoff run. Then we could probably get a decent goalie at a big discount then what we would have to pay now.

Besides the fact that he used to be good in Phoenix ... which is also where Labarbra came from ... and where Mike Smith resurrected his career. What evidence do you have that Bryzgalov has a decent and consistent game left? They got rid of him from Philly and bought the guy out because he was inconsistent and a nutter. That is worse than Dubnyk, at least Dubnyk isn't going to make the dressing room worse.

That is the problem is it worth this year giving up a ton to solve the Goalie problem? I think so .... as long as you get the right guy...........I am not confident in any of the guys Anahiem has and I don't want a nutter like Bryzgalov near the Oilers already fragile psyche, he might get the whole team institutionalized.

It's not just about the fact the season may be over or not, you bring in a guy like Bryz you're not giving up any assets while the team is 'desperate' in the eyes of all the other GMs in the league...you are bringing in a guy who wants to prove himself at the NHL level and also this pushes Duby to realize he needs to get his act together. You make a move for a goalie in the offseason IMO or you obtain Bryz short term and get this team on a bit of a role, then make a decision later on/closer to the trade deadline (see OTT and Tampa)

They need a replacement for DD now. It's evident when they outshoot teams like Tampa and come out on the short end. And who's been in charge of stock piling the cupboard? Where are the young goalies in our system? Dubnyk's career can be traced back to the time when they didn't have an AHL club. Remember that? Remember DesLaurier sitting on the bench of the Hamilton Bulldogs and Montreal letting their young goalies develop? That was really helping our goalies and our players wasn't it? Who's responsible for that?

I would like to see Stauffer (or someone connected to the organization) tweet that MacT is talking to Holmgren about Giroux. Just for fun.

I don't want Giroux. He's more of what we have, we need better d, better goaltending and more diverse forwards. He's also terribly overrated and on top of that will be making 8.275 a year starting next year. Pass.

I have to agree with the majority on here. Bryzgalov as a tryout till the end of the year, till either a) someone has taken the starters job b) UFAs will be available. Trading (likely a high) first rounder, or skill can be used on other needs rather than an overpay on a goaltender. I do believe a shakeup is needed, if only for the phsyche of the team.

He who knows .... knows what. Bryzgalov is not an option period. He can't even play in the ECHL ... that is 2 tiers below the NHL... that is how far that guy has fallen. Please put some effort and find a legitimate option somewhere in or at least NEAR the NHL level.

The Oilers had always had great goaltending. Moog, Fuhr, Randford, Salo.....then came post lockout where they have never been so bad. I think missing a top tier goalie might have a lot to do with it.

Salo was a great goalie?

I agree that Dubnyk has shown he's not the long-term answer, and that the team has little confidence in him, but I just don't see any moves that would make sense right now, at least without overpaying.

Jason, I heard that Bryz agent said hes had 3 or 4 offers from NHL teams but has turned them down. Could one of those not have been the Oil?
Theres one option down. Also what is your take on the Eberle rumuors to philly? You would think there would have to be a RW coming back because there isn't much depth there at the moment.

Go Bold. If Philly wants Eberle, give him to them .... just make them pay for it. Get back Couturier and SImmonds somehow.

I fully agree, I have no problem with that. Eberle or anyone off our lineup. I was here when 99 was dealt(sold) and from that point on NO ONE is untradeable. As for this verbal agreement with Gags..WTF..sorry you negotiated a NTC after the first year, why? Maybe I just missed that BOLD move.